ALBANY — Gov. Kathleen C. Hockle on Monday announced $8 million in continued funding per year to the 30 SUNY community colleges to advance the health and mental health goals of New York State and the SUNY System.
According to a news release from Hokel’s office, the $5 million will be used to help community colleges invest in increasing enrollment and completion of medical education programs, supporting Hokel’s goal of increasing the state’s health care workforce by 20 percent over the next five years.
The remaining $3 million will be used to expand mental health supports for SUNY students, which has consistently been identified as a critical need on campus.
“This investment in our community colleges is a major step toward meeting the needs of students who want to succeed in in-demand jobs across our state and building the best public educational institutions in the nation,” Haukl said in a statement.
According to the announcement, each campus will receive up to $350,000, with a minimum of $75,000, from the $5 million continuing health workforce investment, which will provide support to universities through:
— Hire faculty and expand or establish new health care programs.
— Enhance the simulation space.
— Establish new partnerships and pathways with other SUNY campus wellness programs.
— Develop partnerships between campuses and the communities they serve, including high schools, community organizations, BOCES, and campus-employer partnerships.
According to the announcement, the 2023 National Mental Health Survey targeting university students found that 41% and 36% of students suffered from depression and anxiety disorders, respectively.
Currently, about two-thirds of SUNY community colleges have counseling centers, and some are using distance counseling services.
Each community college will receive $100,000 annually from the $3 million mental health investment to be used to:
— Hire new mental health professionals and staff.
— Offering new or expanded virtual telehealth counseling initiatives.
— Incorporate health promotion initiatives into workforce development and college-to-career transition programs.
— Develop or strengthen efforts to eliminate the stigma around seeking mental health support.
